I read a few interesting articles this week about the connection between vigorous exercise (or lack thereof) and anxiety attacks. I won’t post a full blown “article” on the subject; I simply wanted to gently remind anyone dealing with frequent anxiety attacks that physical exercise (even walking) is still one of the best ways to reclaim your natural calm and sense of well-being.

Did you notice that I used the word ‘natural” in that last paragraph? Think about it; is it possible for anxiety to be the “natural” state of any living thing (including me and you)? Of course not–your natural state is calm. So reducing or eliminating anxiety issues can be as simple as reverting to your “natural” state. That’s where frequent exercise and motion come into the picture.

When we exercise — even moderately– our bodies tend to return to their natural (there’s that word again) state. And as you may have heard me say before, our mental processes and our physical processes are NOT two separate things. They are interconnected to the point of being virtually indistinguishable.

Keep in mind the importance of physical motion and exercise in reducing anxiety attacks. I can assure you that I personally feel much more relaxed and calm when I  am able to work out at least 2-3 times a week, and I try to get at least some physical exercise every day (OK, I take the day off on Sunday–so sue me

When you change what you are doing with your body, you also change what you are doing with your mind. Keeping the body vibrant and in motion returns us to our “base state,” which has nothing to do with anxiety attacks, and everything to do with feeling just fine…

Jon Mercer
Stop Anxiety Attacks

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!

A friend and co-worker recently had surgery, and even though the procedure went well, he suffered with severe anxiety before the surgery, and had a great deal of trouble overcoming the anxiety and worry that sometimes comes up in these situations.

Research has shown that stress and anxiety can be hard on our physical condition, and even slow the healing process after surgery. That’s why it is so important to overcome surgical anxiety–to nip it in the bud, before it becomes severe and begins to have a detrimental effect on your immune system.

People who have never had anxiety a day in their life can become worried and tense before surgery–so there is no need to assume that you have an “anxiety disorder” necessarily in these situations. Still, the way to overcome pre-op stress and anxiety is to use the exact same tools and resources designed for chronic anxiety problems. Breathing exercises and controlled relaxation techniques (many of which are available in The EasyCalm Anxiety program) are often recommended when experiencing anxiety before surgery.

The important point is to be PRO ACTIVE. Don’t wait until your anxiety becomes severe to take action. Began using anxiety-reduction techniques on a daily basis to “head off” the problem, before it becomes severe. And don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about anxiety before surgery. It is a common problem, and your doctor may be able to offer specific advice to help you stay emotionally (as well as physically) healthy in the run up to your procedure.

Overcoming severe anxiety before surgery is not necessarily difficult. Relaxation exercises and de-stressing techniques can work wonders–just remember to be consistent and pro-active in your efforts.
JM

Jon Mercer, MA
Personal Development Coach
Anxiety Treatment
Managing Director, Youniverse LLC

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!